Missing Bootmgr .... Help

When ever I boot my dual boot system I get "Missing Bootmgr" or
sometimes "Missing NTLDR". If I leave the Vista DVD in the drive this
doesn't seem to happen.

After nosing around this seems to be a comon problem but I haven't found
the cure. The first drive is C: with Windows XP on it. The second Drive
is H: with the new Vista Install on it. Loosing C: is not an option (20
years of accumlated stuff)

Help!!

 

Check harddrive priority in BIOS. It must boot on the drive that
contains the boot files

 

Hi Wizard--

You also might try using Startup Repair on the Vista drive and you may get
help from

www.vistabootpro.org/

and here is the procedure for a Startup Repair:

*Startup Repair from the Windows Recovery Environment link on the Vista
DVD*:

You can run Startup Repair by putting your Vista DVD in after the
language screen in setup. You can also run System Restore from the same
location.

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

Note The computer must be configured to start from a CD or from a DVD. For
information about how to configure the computer to start from a CD or from a
DVD, see the information that came with the computer.
2. Restart the computer. To do this, click Start, click the arrow next to
the Lock button, and then click Restart.

This usually means that you enter bios setup by whatever key or keys
(sometimes there is more than one key that will do it for your model--go to
pc manufacturer site) and configure CD to be first in the boot order.

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm/Articles/build_computer/bios/bios03.jpg

Note If you cannot restart the computer by using this method, use the power
button to turn off the computer. Then, turn the computer back on.

3. Set your language preference, and then click Next.

Note In most cases, the startup repair process starts automatically, and you
do not have the option to select it in the System Recovery Options menu.

4. Click Repair your computer.

5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click the operating system
that you want to repair, and then click Next.

6. In the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair to start the
repair process.

7. When the repair process is complete, click Finish.

Additional References for Startup Repair With Screenshots:

How to Use Startup Repair:

***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***

1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)

2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in the
lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***

Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui/images/2014/500x375.aspx

Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img_vista02ctp-installSysRecOpt2.bmp

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

3) Select your OS for repair.

4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
theWin RE feature:

You'll have a choice there of using:

1) Startup Repair
2) System Restore
3) Complete PC Restore
___________________

Good luck,

CH

 

If you have 20 years of accumulated "stuff" that you can't afford to lose -
I certainly hope you believe in backups, and perform them faithfully. (-:

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User

 

Now there's a helpful response. Thank you so much.

 

You hit the nail right on the head! Somehow the fartin little flash
drive I have went to the top of the list. Problem solved. Thank you very
much.

(I must confess I initially ignored your answer thinking it was way to
simple a response geared towards a beginner but when all else failed I
looked at the boot order and low and behold. Sometimes the simplest
answer is the best answer. Isn't that somebody's rule?)
Thank you once again

 

I am glad in a way to see that I am not the only one Microsoft screwed.
Thankfully, you were here to help. I will try everything I have seen here
when I get home tonight. If I cannot get my system running again, I will
start to lose money. I cannot even get to a DOS prompt or anything now.
Reformatting would not be an option because I have been just buying the
upgrade since Windows 95. I DO NOT HAVE MY 95 DISC ANYMORE. I would need to
install 95, then upgrade to 98, then XP, then VISTA to get my system running.
That is the wrong answer. Windows should send out the full version in the
Upgrade and check to see if the copy of XP I was running is legal. Hell, I
think they check that about once a week. I do not understand how people who
get all of their software illegally seem to have fewer issues than I do when
I buy all of mine legally.

 

Get a full version to avoid the requirements for using an upgrade version.
The choice is yours.

 

as you well know from the address you have posted before .
full version is NOT needed to install clean using an upgrade disk.
see this article.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5932

Get a full version to avoid the requirements for using an upgrade version.
The choice is yours.

 

The purpose of an upgrade copy is to allow a loyal, law-abiding consumer to
get the newest version at a discounted rate. Why should I pay another $150?
To not deal with the pain? I cannot believe that the people running
Microsoft are sadists. Last night I reinstalled Windows98, then XP.
Tonight, I will try to install Vista again, but I will install it the way
mikeyhsd stated in the message below. I wish I had seen it two days ago.
Thank you Mikey.

 

good luck, it has works for MANY.

The purpose of an upgrade copy is to allow a loyal, law-abiding consumer to
get the newest version at a discounted rate. Why should I pay another $150?
To not deal with the pain? I cannot believe that the people running
Microsoft are sadists. Last night I reinstalled Windows98, then XP.
Tonight, I will try to install Vista again, but I will install it the way
mikeyhsd stated in the message below. I wish I had seen it two days ago.
Thank you Mikey.

 

I don't see where being loyal and/or law abiding has anything to do with it.
It's simple. If you choose the upgrade version then you have to deal with
the restrictions for it. It's a choice you make. I don't use upgrade
versions. Yes there is the double install method, but I wouldn't bother
with it.